Complex configuration analysis at transonic speeds

Advanced performance requirements of new combat and transport aircraft together with design time constraints intensify the development and application of three dimensional computational analyses. A computational method which was developed for the specific purpose of providing an engineering analysis of complex aircraft configurations at transonic speeds. Particular attention is given to the recently incorporated wing viscous interaction and canard capabilities. The treatment of fuselage fairings, nacelles, and pylons is reviewed. The means for keeping computing resources at reasonable levels are identified. Three configurations were selected for correlations with experimental data. Taken together, the comparisons illustrate the full extent of current analysis capabilities. The configurations include: (1) a wing fuselage canard fighter; (2) a transport with fuselage fairings, four nacelles, four pylons; and (3) a space vehicle which includes an external fuel tank and rocket boosters (transonic launch configuration).